If you like something…

Author Notes:We recently discovered this little oil and vinegar shop called Oro that sells the sweetest infused 18 year aged balsamic vinegars including a pomegrante balsamic vinegar that served as the inspiration behind this recipe. Since pomegranates are in season right now I added some to this recipe for the texture although the crunch of the wild rice is plenty to keep the dish interesting. The roasted chestnuts and tart dried cherries compliment the sweetness of the roasted butternut squash. —lisa ann

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Serves 6

2
tablespoons lemon zest

4
tablespoons fresh lemon juice (2 med lemons)

1
medium butternut squash, peeled and seeded, cut into 1/4 inch dice

3
tablespoons olive oil

1
large red onion, chopped

1 1/2
cups wild rice, rinsed

4
cups vegetable broth

1
dried bay leaf

1
cup fresh chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley

11
ounces jar roasted chestnuts, coarsely chopped

1
cup dried cherries

1/2
cup chopped roasted red peppers

3/4
cup fresh pomegranate seeds

1/2
cup pomegranate balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.

Toss squash with 2T olive oil and salt to taste in large baking pan and spread in single layer. Roast in oven for 15 minutes until squash just tender and transfer to bowl.

Add bay leaf to vegetable broth in a pot and bring to a boil. Add wild rice, reduce heat and simmer for approximately 45 minutes until rice begins to split. Drain rice and remove bay leaf. Add rice to bowl with squash and onions.

Thanks for the comment. I've had to convince my kids that it is not something you drink....especially at $22/bottle. I also have some cinn pear balsamic that is begging to go with something but haven't figured that out yet!